Learn about elbow bursitis (olecranon bursitis), also known as student's elbow or miner's elbow. This resource provides information on diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and ICD-10 coding for olecranon bursitis. Find details relevant to healthcare professionals, including clinical documentation tips and medical billing information for accurate coding and reimbursement. Explore effective management strategies for elbow bursitis and improve your understanding of this common condition.
Also known as
Olecranon bursitis
Inflammation of the bursa at the back of the elbow.
Soft tissue disorders
Covers various soft tissue disorders, including bursitis.
Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
Broad category encompassing musculoskeletal and connective tissue diseases.
Follow this step-by-step guide to choose the correct ICD-10 code.
Is the elbow bursitis due to infection?
Yes
Organism specified?
No
Is it due to gout?
When to use each related code
| Description |
|---|
| Inflammation of elbow bursa. |
| Elbow joint inflammation. |
| Nerve entrapment at elbow. |
Missing or incorrect laterality (right, left, bilateral) for Elbow Bursitis can lead to claim denials or inaccurate reimbursement.
Coding E11.3 for non-infective olecranon bursitis requires documentation supporting the non-infective nature. Unspecified bursitis may be downcoded.
Distinguishing between traumatic (S40.-) and non-traumatic (M70.2, M70.3) elbow bursitis is crucial for accurate coding and impacts clinical documentation improvement efforts.
Q: How can I differentiate between elbow bursitis and other causes of elbow pain like lateral epicondylitis or medial epicondylitis in a clinical setting?
A: Differentiating elbow bursitis (including olecranon bursitis, student's elbow, or miner's elbow) from lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) or medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow) requires a thorough clinical examination. Elbow bursitis typically presents with swelling, redness, and warmth directly over the olecranon bursa, with pain exacerbated by direct pressure. Lateral epicondylitis presents with pain over the lateral epicondyle, worsened by wrist extension against resistance. Medial epicondylitis involves pain over the medial epicondyle, aggravated by wrist flexion against resistance. While palpation plays a crucial role, consider incorporating provocative tests specific to each condition. For bursitis, assess for fluctuation and tenderness directly over the bursa. For epicondylitis, utilize the Cozen's test (lateral) or the golfer's elbow test (medial). Imaging studies, such as ultrasound or MRI, may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other pathologies, especially if the presentation is atypical or unresponsive to initial treatment. Explore how integrating these specific examination techniques can improve your diagnostic accuracy.
Q: What are the best evidence-based conservative management strategies for chronic olecranon bursitis in patients who are not surgical candidates?
A: Conservative management is often the first line of treatment for chronic olecranon bursitis. Begin with patient education emphasizing activity modification to avoid aggravating activities that put pressure on the elbow. Recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for pain and inflammation management. Consider implementing a physical therapy regimen focused on range-of-motion exercises, stretching, and strengthening of the surrounding musculature to improve elbow function. If conservative measures fail, consider corticosteroid injections into the bursa, but be mindful of potential complications like infection and skin atrophy with repeated injections. Immobilization with a splint or elbow pad can provide rest and protection during acute exacerbations. Learn more about the latest research on corticosteroid injection techniques and explore alternative therapies like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections for recalcitrant cases.
Patient presents with complaints consistent with elbow bursitis, also known as olecranon bursitis, student's elbow, or miner's elbow. Onset of symptoms began [timeframe] and is characterized by [description of symptoms: e.g., pain, swelling, redness, warmth, limited range of motion] localized to the posterior aspect of the elbow. Patient reports [activities or events potentially contributing to the condition, e.g., prolonged leaning on elbows, recent trauma, repetitive elbow flexion and extension]. Physical examination reveals [objective findings: e.g., palpable swelling, tenderness to palpation over the olecranon bursa, erythema, increased skin temperature, crepitus]. Differential diagnosis includes septic bursitis, gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and fracture. Current treatment plan includes [conservative management strategies: e.g., rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), activity modification, protective padding]. If symptoms do not improve with conservative measures, aspiration of the bursa and corticosteroid injection will be considered. Patient education provided on proper elbow care, activity modification, and signs and symptoms of infection. Follow-up scheduled in [timeframe] to assess response to treatment and adjust management as needed. ICD-10 code M70.2 (Olecranon bursitis) is documented for billing purposes.